Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions January 15th 2025

Missing key players, Wild try to slow down Oilers’ stars

The Minnesota Wild are bracing for a challenging test as they face the high-flying Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in Saint Paul, Minn. With key players sidelined by injuries, the Wild will need to rely on their depth and discipline to compete against Edmonton’s offensive firepower led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

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Wild’s Injury Woes

Minnesota coach John Hynes shed light on the team’s injury struggles, noting the absence of several key players, including star forward Kirill Kaprizov, captain Jared Spurgeon, and first-line defensemen Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin. Forward Jakub Lauko is also out, leaving the Wild shorthanded in critical areas.

Kaprizov, recovering from a lower-body injury, is reportedly “bored out of his mind,” according to Hynes. Although Kaprizov has yet to participate in a full practice, there’s a slim chance he could return after testing his strength in a pregame skate. Despite missing multiple games, Kaprizov leads the Wild with 50 points (23 goals, 27 assists) in just 34 games, underscoring his importance to the team.

Hynes emphasized the meticulous protocol required for player recovery:

“It’s easy skates, then it’s hard skates. You see how they respond, then push harder. Each injury has a progression, and we follow it closely.”

The Oilers’ Momentum

The Edmonton Oilers, in contrast, are hitting their stride. With a 6-1-0 record in their past seven games, Edmonton looks confident heading into a three-game road trip. After Wednesday’s clash with Minnesota, they’ll face tough matchups against Colorado and Vancouver.

Connor McDavid, the team’s captain and a perennial MVP candidate, highlighted the challenges of their schedule:

“It’s been a busy stretch here, a lot of traveling around. But I like how we’re playing. We’ll be fine.”

Draisaitl continues to lead the Oilers with an impressive 64 points (31 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games, while McDavid follows with 59 points (17 goals, 42 assists) in 40 games. Defenseman Evan Bouchard has also stepped up, rounding out the top three scorers with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists).

Goaltending Matchup

Goaltending could play a pivotal role in this matchup.

• Edmonton: Stuart Skinner, coming off a stellar 1-0 shutout win against the Los Angeles Kings, is likely to start. Skinner has been solid this season, boasting a 17-9-3 record with a 2.68 goals-against average (GAA) and a .902 save percentage. Backup Calvin Pickard has contributed with a 10-4-0 record and a 2.50 GAA.
• Minnesota: Filip Gustavsson anchors the Wild’s net with an 18-8-3 record, a 2.50 GAA, and a .917 save percentage. Veteran Marc-Andre Fleury, who holds a 9-3-1 record and a .910 save percentage, provides valuable experience as the backup.

With both teams relying on strong goaltending performances, the battle in the crease could determine the outcome.

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Season Series So Far

This game marks the third and final meeting between these two teams in the regular season.

• On November 21, the Wild claimed a 5-3 victory on the road, showcasing their ability to compete with Edmonton.
• However, on December 12, the Oilers responded with a dominant 7-1 win, demonstrating their offensive capabilities.

With the series tied at one game apiece, the stakes are high for both teams.

Keys to the Game

For the Wild:

1. Defensive Discipline: With their top defensemen out, Minnesota must minimize mistakes and capitalize on counterattacks.
2. Goaltending Brilliance: Gustavsson and Fleury must deliver standout performances to keep the Oilers’ stars at bay.
3. Depth Players Step Up: Players like Marco Rossi (38 points in 44 games) and Matt Boldy (37 points in 44 games) need to shoulder the offensive load.

For the Oilers:

1. Exploit Offensive Strength: McDavid and Draisaitl must continue driving the offense and capitalize on Minnesota’s weakened defense.
2. Sustain Momentum: Edmonton’s recent form gives them an edge, and maintaining that confidence will be crucial.
3. Stellar Goaltending: Skinner must match his recent form to shut down Minnesota’s secondary scoring.

What to Expect

Fans can anticipate a hard-fought contest as the injury-depleted Wild look to stifle Edmonton’s dynamic offense. While the Wild will lean heavily on their goaltending and defensive schemes, the Oilers’ firepower and momentum make them a formidable opponent.

Predicted Lineups

Conclusion

The Minnesota Wild are facing adversity with a depleted roster, but their resilience will be tested against one of the NHL’s most talented teams. The Edmonton Oilers, bolstered by McDavid and Draisaitl, aim to extend their winning streak and dominate the season series. This matchup promises high stakes, grit, and drama.